City losing its longtime fireworks show vendor

Published 2:08 pm, Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Even without the services of its longtime professional pyrotechnic provider, the Plainview Chamber of Commerce wants to make sure that the show goes on this July the Fourth, but it needs your help.

In March the Chamber launched its annual appeal for donations to fund the traditional Independence Day fireworks extravaganza, held in Regional Park. In the past, the bulk of the funding came from local businesses. This year, the appeal has been expanded to the general public in hopes of raising the necessary funding for a larger than normal display similar to the one in 2012, which was thanks to a carryover in funding from 2011 when the show was canceled due to a countywide burn ban.

But shortly after the Chamber started its fireworks fund drive last month, Executive Linda Morris was notified that Atlas Enterprises, the Chamber’s longtime vendor, has been acquired by rival Pyrotechnics, and the new owners will not renew Atlas’ contract with Plainview.

Morris says the newly expanded company has elected to only host fireworks shows for larger venues. Plainview’s annual show has been in the $10,000 to $12,000 range — except for the expanded 2012 show — and the new company has set exhibitions beginning at $25,000 as its minimum.

“We were notified the middle of March of the changes,” Morris says, “and after 20 years with the same company, you can imagine our disappointment. However, we got right to work on the details of a show with a new company.”

The largest obstacle now facing the Chamber for a Fourth of July show, Morris notes, is that all the other professional fireworks companies already are booked, and most Texas communities of Plainview’s size already were using Atlas, and are now seeking a new fireworks vendor.

To keep travel and shipping expenses down, the Chamber initially limited its search for a new vendor to Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma. Several companies had other dates available, but none would commit to the Fourth of July.

“Companies said they can provide (aerial) fireworks,” Morris says, “however (they) do not have the technicians certified to host the shows.” As a result, several companies are offering training to city-certified firefighters, recognizing the fact that they already have fire training, which is a component of the technician’s certification.

“We have discovered that we could possibly have more fireworks for the same price,” Morris says, “because we have our own firefighters in place, and they could be certified” as fireworks technicians.

“We still have so many details to work through and get into place, and we continue to look for professional fireworks companies,” Morris says, “however we want to provide the best program possible for our citizens while maintaining a safe show.”

Contributions for this year’s fireworks show are being accepted at the Plainview Chamber of Commerce, 1906 W. Fifth.

Public participation in the fundraising effort, Morris explains, is the only way Plainview can provide a show for the community.